We started the new year with news of the deaths of rock icons David Bowie and Glenn Frey of The Eagles. And with our living classic rock legends approaching advanced ages, news of their slipping health probably shouldn’t surprise us.
Yesterday, we learned that AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson’s hearing has gotten so bad that his doctor has told him he must immediately quit touring or risk going deaf. The band will reschedule the remaining 10 North American concerts. They will reschedule them, but will likely use a “guest vocalist” when they do.
Johnson’s hearing has likely been damaged not only from living the rock and roll touring life, but from his hobby of auto racing. AC/DC has already seen Malcolm Young (dementia) and Phil Rudd (legal issues) leave the band within the past year.
As for Bill Wyman, the former Rolling Stones bass man was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer. His spokes says, “He is undergoing treatment and is expected to make a full recovery, as it was caught in the early stages.”
Wyman is 79. He smoked for 55 years before giving it up in 2009. He was The Stones’ bassist during all their glory years, joining in ’62 and leaving in ’93, unhappy that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards had taken over all song writing power. He did play a few songs with The Stones during their 50th anniversary tour at the outdoors London shows in 2012.
Doc Watson
